So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:22-25 – The Message

This is one busy, busy Saturday. With so much going on today it becomes more important than ever to begin the morning in a devotional context.

Rebekah and I already shared our Upper Room meditation and prayer at breakfast. Then a couple of hours before that I met with the Saturday men’s covenant group at WFPC.

It’s summertime now and people are constantly on the move, but we have agreed to continue meeting even if only a few of the men can make it, because – on a very essential level – we absolutely need each other.

Meeting for what?

Just six guys today, sitting in a circle to drink coffee, read the scriptures, share what is going on in our lives, encourage one another in the faith, and pray together.

It is a very simple concept, but at the same time it is very powerful. In fact, maybe more powerful because it is not complicated.

Here is the formula, the equation, and it is all rooted in the biblical narrative:

1. We were created by God and were designed to participate in community, both with God and with one another.
2. Humankind not only removed itself from communion with God but has made an ongoing art-form of building walls that separate people one from another.
3. God sent Jesus in order to extend a new invitation to rejoin God’s family.
4. Additionally, and spelled out by Jesus, this restored relationship necessarily involves tearing down the walls that isolate us from other people.

Even men!

It is my observation that men are especially resistant to authentic community, particularly where it involves opening up, vulnerability, and revealing our deeper selves. This is where being part of a church, asking Jesus to walk with us, and participating in small-group ministry can become transformational.

God wants to lead each one of us into deeper waters. If you are tired of paddling around the edges, or if you are still circling the idea of faith and looking in from the outside, I would like to invite you to at least meet Jesus.

Then, move into a deeper experience of faith and allow Jesus (and other believers) to walk with you as you allow yourself to embrace the real reason we were all created – and that is to live in the warmth and joy of community, knowing and being known, loving and being loved, serving and being served, trusting, and – as Peterson translated the Hebrews passage – “keeping a firm grip on the promises that keep us going.”

– DEREK

If you are interested in my books about faith, click here: DEREK’s BOOKS